diff --git a/kitty/key_names.py b/kitty/key_names.py
index 7c9440752..ea2ef6184 100644
--- a/kitty/key_names.py
+++ b/kitty/key_names.py
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ else:
                 break
             except Exception:
                 pass
+        else:
+            from ctypes.util import find_library
+            lib = find_library('xkbcommon')
+
         f = lib.xkb_keysym_from_name
         f.argtypes = [ctypes.c_char_p, ctypes.c_int]
         f.restype = ctypes.c_int